Transport and Economy Minister Ken Skates joined students in Coleg Cambria, Wrexham, on Thursday 14th February to celebrate the enhancement of the popular MyTravelPass young persons’ discount scheme.

The scheme, which has evolved and improved since its pilot in 2015, now offers a third off the fares for all journeys taken by young people aged between 16 and 21 – right up until their 22nd birthday.

Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “I am delighted to be welcoming this enhancement of the MyTravelPass scheme, which will allow more young people to take advantage of discounted journeys.

“The scheme has proved popular. The success of this idea since its conception in 2014 through to its expansion now, can be charted in the number of passes that have been issued.

“By last August, there were 14,939 live passes in circulation. Since the scheme began, there has been a total of 20,953 pass-holders, and there were an estimated 1.344m discounted journeys in 2017-18.

“Encouraging more young people to use the bus for more of their journeys will have an immediate and long-term benefit by reducing road congestion, improving air quality and making the bus network a more attractive place for the bus industry to invest.

“Also, attracting more young people onto public transport is vital if we are to achieve a sustainable public transport network that supports our Prosperity for All objectives.

“We will continue to work closely with the bus industry and our local authority partners to achieve a sustainable bus network, which is key to achieving our objectives for a socially-responsible, greener and prosperous Wales.”